Santa Barbara’s State Street Transformation

State Street is one of Santa Barbara’s most popular streets and tourist attractions. During the day, State St. is an amazing spot full of color, wonder, and lots of details, and is just such a charming little part of Santa Barbara, perfect for visiting. At night, though, it is full of lights that follow the sides of the street and light up the pathway. Turning into a magical and perfect spot for going on dates or out to dinner. As well as just for walking around like during the day, but a completely different vibe that makes State St. such an amazing place. Why are they transforming it then, and what are they changing about this magnificent attraction? 

The county is aiming not to remodel but to add more to State St. to make it more convenient for pedestrians since the street is so populated with tourists. Some adjustments and things they are planning to add to State St. are more accessibility and walking space, and most likely expand the street. Also, they are planning on adding public restrooms. They’re not planning to completely remodel the street or remove a bunch of their attractions/stores, but mainly adding more to it. One part of the street they are going to remove is an Antique Alley, which has been an important part of State Street for a really long time. The owner of Antique Alley, Eva Linowski, told Gianella Ghiglino, “We’ve seen everything. has witnessed the evolution of State Street firsthand.” 

So it seems like Antique Alley has had a lot of success in its time, but as the years pass by, it starts to lose its touch and its customers. Which is sad, but as time goes by, they will probably open up different stores not to replace Antique Alley and the memories of it, but to help continue that same vibe and cozy, cute feeling that Antique Alley did. Freshman Giovana Lia said, “I don’t think that anything else will give off the same vintage vibe.” Which is true, Antique Alley is very vintage and old, but it has a very warm, snug feeling. Lia also said, “I have found some really cool and unique stuff there that I most likely wouldn’t be able to find at other stores or antique stores.” 

State St. is really amazing for shopping and is pretty much a Santa Barbara version of downtown SLO. Lia also added, “State Street reminds me a lot of downtown SLO, but is a lot more expensive. I really like shopping there, though, and seeing all the different stores. The only thing that is inconvenient is that there are no public restrooms, and if you go to a store restroom, you have to buy an item.” That’s exactly why they need to add public restrooms for pedestrians. Lia said, “I think a public restroom has been needed for a really long time and could even cause more people to go to State Street because it will be even more convenient.” 

Expanding State Street will definitely be a good part of the transformation because it will be way less crowded and packed with so many people on one street, allowing less traffic and more walkways and also bike lanes. “The food on  State St. is really amazing and delicious; it can be a bit pricey, but it is definitely worth it,” said Lia.

 Changes to State Street are definitely needed and will give it an amazing touch and make the astonishing place even better.